Learning and Listening to the Trail

50 Miles on the Trail

I have passed two milestones on the trail,  all the shoes in the tree at Neel Gap and 50 miles at Blue Mountain shelter.  The biggest thing I have learned is that the trail sets the pace, the trail sets the agenda, and all I have to do is listen.

 

 

 

 

For the most part, I seem to be quite contented to walk by myself.   I am finding all the talk and noise at the shelters are too much for me.   So far I haven’t met anyone older than me.   The young people strolling by me seem so fit and well adjusted to the trail.   I try not to be envious.   One of the first people I met on the trail gave me some good advice,  take pictures of the people you met and write down their names.  I have tried to do that.

Helpful Quotes

Embrace the Suck

Given to me as I was struggling to get my rain gear on just before reaching Springer Mt.

The Trail makes the women more beautiful and the men skinnier.

Heard at a shelter.

Memories

Preachers Rock

 

 

 

 

 

My Daughter is a Pastor.   I sat looking out over the valleys and thought how cool it would be to listen to her give a sermon from there.  I wondered what inspiration She might get from this beautiful spot.  Would I be able to listen or would the view distract me?

Blood Mt

 

 

 

 

 

I look at this beautiful example of the work I imagine the CCC workers did so many years ago.  I wish I would have had a bear canister so I could have a fire in the fireplace and think of all the stories this place has seen.

More people from the Trail

Squirrel

 

 

 

 

 

Stupid Check

 

 

 

 

 

 

This guy came to the trail from Guatemala.   He lives in Quebec City and intends to walk home from Katahdin.!  He also had epoxy and fixed my broken pole.  I wish I could keep up with people like this.

My closing blessing

May your legs be strong

May your pack seem light

May the trail warm your soul